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SUBMINIMAL SUBSCALE

BENJAMIN SAND

One of my main pain points in the kitchen has always been scales. If I have a set-up with a scale big enough for a brewing flask underneath, then I have to constantly remove the flask to weigh beans, then place it back, etc. I can't dose directly into a hand-grinder either because I want to usually RTD my beans, and that is not advisable since if the cup of the grinder gets wet, then grinds will stick to it.


If I use a standalone grinder it's the same issue, can't RTD directly into the hopper, so you have to first measure beans in a cup of some kind, and then transfer it, and then replace the flask onto your larger scales.

So what are your options? 2 scales? 1 scale and constantly shifting things back and forth? Or is there a happy medium?

Now thanks to Subminimal, there is.

Who Are Subminimal?

Subminimal is a boutique Singaporean brand known for blending minimalistic design with everyday coffee gear. They produce tools like the Subscale and NanoFoamer, prioritizing intuitive, visually striking products that are minimalist in design and do what they say on the tin. Their gear tends to be lightweight, sleek, and crafted for form and function, leaning into that “wow” moment in your daily brew routine. 

They have obviously identified some gaps in the market that people refer to regularly, and attempted to bridge the gap. The scale-conundrum, and also the fact that home-brewers find it increasingly difficult to make quality milk foam without an espresso wand/maker.


This they have tackled in a different product, but one we will hopefully test in the future.

What is the Subscale?

The Subscale is basically a countertop magic trick: you tap the nearly invisible button, the hidden LED comes alive, and the cup tares itself to zero. You pour in up to 60 grams of beans (or 120 ml of liquid), the scale reads to 0.1 g accuracy, and you pour straight from it into your grinder — no juggling multiple tools. It’s USB-C rechargeable, splash-resistant (IPX-4), and the battery lasts weeks or months on a single charge. The beauty is its elimination of steps in your brew workflow, though at times the single-touch control takes a second to find under low light.


This also solves the problem of RTD for those people (like me) who brew light-roast beans and need a spritz before grinding to eliminate static.

Feature Subminimal Subscale Bruer Digital Dose Cup
Design Minimalist Tritan cup, hidden LED display Transparent cup with visible scale display
Max Capacity ~60 g beans / 120 ml liquid ~70 g beans (model dependent)
Accuracy 0.1 g 0.1 g
Timer No No
Water Resistance IPX-4 splash-resistant Splash-resistant (varies by model)
Power USB-C rechargeable Usually AAA batteries
Workflow Fit Ultra sleek; may awkwardly sit under grinder funnels More functional for dosing straight under grinders

Great if you like to spray some water on your beans before grinding!


The Positives

  • Elegant all-in-one design: a dosing cup with an integrated scale, uncluttering your counter and simplifying workflow.
  • Precision you’ll actually use: measures to 0.1 g and handles up to 60 g, plenty for espresso and smaller pours.
  • Simple & intuitive: just a tap to activate, double-tap to switch units, and the display fades away when idle.
  • Low-maintenance battery: charges via USB-C, splash-resistant, and often only needs charging twice a year.

The Negatives

  • Limited capacity: only 60 g makes it unsuitable for large brews like Chemex or French press.
  • No timer: you’ll need a separate device if you want to time pours.
  • Touch controls aren’t foolproof: the nearly invisible button can be tricky under low light or when rushed. Sometimes you'll hit it just moving the cup.
  • Workflow limitations: doesn’t nest easily into drippers or portafilters, so it won’t replace a traditional scale in every setup.



Tips

  • Use for espresso or small brews: The 60 g capacity is perfect for single dosing into a grinder or weighing espresso shots.
  • Find the sweet spot for tapping: The touch button is subtle, practice where it sits so you’re not fumbling when rushing in the morning.
  • Keep it clean and dry: It’s splash-resistant (IPX-4) but not waterproof; wipe down with a damp cloth rather than rinsing.
  • Pair with a main scale: Use the Subscale as your grinder dosing tool and for espresso shots, while keeping a larger flat scale for pour-over or batch brews.
  • Recharge smartly: A single USB-C charge can last months; top up occasionally instead of leaving it plugged in, which preserves battery life.
  • Level your tamp: Since you can dose directly from the Subscale cup, gently swirl or tap beans before grinding to reduce uneven feeding into your grinder. If you use RDT, then this scale is perfect for that as it is water-resistant.

Final Thoughts

The Subminimal Subscale is less about functionality overload and more about elegance and simplicity. If you're brewing espresso and want the most streamlined, gorgeous dosing tool, it’s a lovely match. It can sit on any counter and add a striking focal point, looking just as good on stainless steel as wooden finishes.


It won't replace the need for a second scale, as you cannot brew chemex or pour-over into it, but it will iron out one big issue for most home-brewers. Think of it as a way to minimise stress in the morning, and make your workflow more seemless. Basically, instead of finding a dosing cup, turning your main scale on, dosing, spraying, grinding, then moving the cup off the scale and putting on your V60 or Chemex, and then brewing, you basically keep your V60 on your main scale, and just use the Subminimal to weight, spritz and load your beans into the grinder. It just makes things that ONE bit easier.

Knowing how I feel after first waking up, the last thing I need are extra things to think about.


Click here if you want to buy one, the link is not a commission one.

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